Architect Simon Astridge has designed three vending machines for ceramics brand Solus and tile manufacturer Italgraniti that dispense porcelain tile samples and were showcased at Clerkenwell Design Week in London.
Titled Automatica, the project was created to reference the automated factory process of tile production.
Italgraniti and Solus showcased three vending machines at Clerkenwell Design Week 2025
The three bespoke machines, constructed and clad by Arcitile using Italgraniti porcelain tiles, were designed by Astridge to recreate the sample selection process as a tactile and sensory experience.
Users could retrieve samples from the machines using free tokens collected from the Solus Ceramics Showroom in Clerkenwell.
The vending machines dispensed porcelain tile samples during Clerkenwell Design Week
The project wanted to encourage user engagement to evoke a nostalgic experience of a vending machine, while creating an insight into the production process of tile making.
“The main intention is for people and machines to come together to create something they couldn’t do on their own,” said Astridge.
The machines were designed to reframe the sample selection process
The concept behind Automatica also aims to reflect Italgraniti’s production process at its factory in Emilia Romagna, Italy, where employees use bicycles to travel between vending machines during coffee breaks.
“Automatica offers a playful but purposeful way to connect with the design community,” said Gabriele Masetti, Italgraniti’s commercial sales director.
“Despite the certifications and technical performances of our products, we knew we needed something quite different to make an impact in the London market,” he added.
Italgraniti used its own tiles to clad the machines’ exteriors, integrating circular production principles into the project.
Users could redeem samples from the machines using tokens
The machines were placed at local sites of Farringdon Station, The Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great and Clerkenwell Green during the event.
The photography is by Dion Barrett and video footage is by Superbeam.
Clerkenwell Design Week 2025 took place from 20 to 22 May 2025 at various locations across London, UK. Visit Dezeen Events Guide for more global architecture exhibitions, events and talks in architecture and design.
Partnership content
This video was produced by Dezeen as part of a partnership with Solus. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.
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